Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage)

The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes

by Sarah Olson on November 7, 2021 | Updated June 19, 2022 7 Comments

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This Irish-inspired recipe for Slow Cooker Colcannon potatoes is a must-try! A mixture of creamy potatoes and cabbage is a match made in heaven and makes a perfect side dish.

If you are looking for a potato dish to go with my classic corned beef recipe or my maple corned beef recipe, this is the recipe to make!

Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage) - The Magical Slow Cooker (1)

What are Colcannon Poatotes

This recipe may come to you as a shock if you have never heard of it! Try this Irish recipe for colcannon potatoes as a side dish for your corned beef or any St. Patrick’s day meal.

Colcannon potatoes are mashed potatoes with cooked cabbage (or kale) in them. An Irish Halloween tradition is to hide a ring and a thimble in the potatoes, though it seems like a choking hazard, I would warn guests first.

Another version of potatoes like this is called “Champ” which is potatoes with scallions (green onions).

How to make colcannon potatoes in the crockpot:

Ingredients

Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage) - The Magical Slow Cooker (2)

Step by Step Directions

Step One – Gather russet potatoes, cabbage, chicken bouillon cubes, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step Two – Add to the slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the potatoes. It is fine to leave some cabbage above the waterline.

Step Three – Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4.5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage) - The Magical Slow Cooker (3)

Step Four – Drain the cabbage and potatoes. Add melted butter and heavy cream, mash the potatoes using a potato masher, you can use a handheld mixer but using a potato masher will keep some of the cabbage intact.

Step Five – Next, add cooked bacon crumbles and green onions. Stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage) - The Magical Slow Cooker (4)

Can I use kale instead of cabbage?

Kale is often used in colcannon potatoes. If you want to use kale in this recipe instead of cabbage you will need to wait to add it. Add 4 cups of chopped kale for the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Kale doesn’t take long to soften in the slow cooker.

Can I use red or gold potatoes?

Yes! In fact, if you use red or gold potatoes you do not need to peel them, just cube and add to the slow cooker.

What goes good with Colcannon Potatoes?

Slow Cooker Maple Mustard Corned Beef or Classic Corned Beef (skip the potatoes and cabbage in that classic recipe)
Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots – Recipe by Cafe Delights
Honey Apple Pork Loin

Irish Colcannon Recipe (Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage) - The Magical Slow Cooker (6)

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Colcannon Potatoes Recipe

5 from 14 votes

A mashed potato recipe made in the slow cooker with cabbage and bacon!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Irish

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Equipment Needed:

▢
Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger (I own and use this one from Crock-Pot)

Ingredients:

▢ 2.5 lbs. russet potatoes (peeled and diced) (doesn't need to be exact, I usually use about a half a 5 lb. bag).
▢ 1/2 head cabbage (rough chopped)
▢ 4 chicken bouillon cubes
▢ 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
▢ 1/2 tsp. onion powder
▢ water to cover
▢ 1/2 cup half and half (or milk) plus more if needed
▢ 1/2 cup salted butter melted
▢ 3/4 tsp. salt
▢ ¼ tsp. pepper
▢ 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
▢ 1/2 cup sliced green onion

US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

Add the peeled potatoes and chopped cabbage to the slow cooker. Add the chicken boullion cubes, garlic powder and onion powder.
Pour over just enough water to cover the potatoes and most of the cabbage. It is okay if some of the cabbage isn't under water. Don't fill your slow cooker to the tip top, or you risk it overflowing during the cooking time.
Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4.5 hours.
When the cooking time is up, drain the water off the potatoes and cabbage.
Pour over the melted butter, half and half, salt and pepper.
Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes. If needed add a touch more half and half if the potatoes look dry, don't over do it though! After you have mashed the potatoes, add the cooked bacon and green onion.
Stir and serve!

How to Video:

Sarah’s Notes:

Can I use kale instead of cabbage?

Kale is often used in colcannon potatoes. If you want to use kale in this recipe instead of cabbage you will need to wait to add it. Add 4 cups of chopped kale the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Kale doesn’t take long to soften in the slow cooker.

Can I use red or gold potatoes?